May several black cats cross your path today. For today is that wonderful day when the world is supposed to be that much darker, that much more mysterious.... even though it is not All Hallow's Eve.
I meant to write a post on the history of the day, but it appears that the danger of the number 13 has been believed in for thousands of years, with no set origin.
Some sources will tell you that the number originated from the number of attendees at the Last Supper of Jesus Christ (13), and yet others will remind you that Ancient Babylon's Code of Hammurabi leaves out the number 13 in its list of laws. The superstition is, then, at least as old as 1700 BC.
The number and the day of Friday, apparently, didn't become wed until the 20th century, when an American stockbroker published "Friday the 13th," which told the story of a businessman's attempt to crash the stock market on the unluckiest day of the month.
One last interesting historical fact about this day of days. In 1939, a small American town in Indiana forced all of its residents who were black cats to wear bells on Friday, October 13. Apparently to warn human residents of the furry impending doom coming their way. The good luck the town had on that day was enough for them to continue the practice for 3 years.
Carpe diem.
Friday, August 13, 2010
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A bell on a cat?! My cats can get out of any collar in about 10 seconds.
ReplyDeleteMy cats would have taken off the collar and put in on a neighborhood dog. :)
Cool post, loved all the info. What a great blog you have.
Cheers!
Some wise cats you have there! I have known a few who, when dressed in a collar, go as far as throwing their necks against the floor until it's taken off!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you very much for the kind comments! Cheers to you, as well!